Vessel opener apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that presents an “easy-fill” mechanism for plastic bags (e.g., zip-lock bags) and the like is provided. The apparatus employs two levers equipped with handles on one end and attachment mechanisms or clips on the other. The levers are configured to open a bag when the handle portions of the levers are closed. Similarly, the apparatus is configured to close the bag when the handle portions are separated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/201,960 entitled “EASY FILL” and filed Dec. 17, 2009. The entirety of the above-noted application is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Surgeons and homemakers alike often experience difficulty in holding a bag, container or other storage vessel open while attempting to transfer liquids, waste, solids and even foodstuff into the bag. This problem exists in most any scenario where materials are transferred into a bag or other non-rigid vessel.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the innovation or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

When trying to fill a plastic storage bag, such as a zip-lock bag, it is often difficult to hold open the bag and fill it with a solid or liquid without spillage or waste. Oftentimes, the bag collapses and/or contents spill over the sides of the bag. In addition to making a mess, liquid can often get caught in the seal of the bag, making it difficult to close. It usually takes two people to fill the bag or “three hands.” This process can be messy, frustrating and cumbersome.

The innovation disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a device that facilitates an ability to secure a bag open using one-hand, while leaving the other hand free to fill the bag. The device can be used in a variety of applications and scenarios ranging from medical (e.g., surgical or the like) to household uses.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovation is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparent from the following detailed description of the innovation when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example apparatus in accordance with aspects of the innovation.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example attachment mechanism (e.g., clip) in accordance with aspects of the innovation.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative aspect of the innovation that employs a spring mechanism in accordance with aspects of the innovation.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operational view of an example apparatus that depicts direction of motion of the handles relative to the attachment mechanisms in accordance with aspects of the innovation.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the innovation that accommodates various sizes of bags, containers or vessels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details.

Upon a review of the specification and figures, it will be appreciated that one purpose of the innovation is to make filling a storage container or vessel (e.g., non-rigid storage bag) with a solid or liquid very easy and convenient, with no mess or assistance from another person. In other words, a person need not have a “third hand” to assist in holding the bag open upon filling. In surgical and household applications alike, the innovation can be employed to enable one-handed operation such that a single hand can be used to hold open a vessel for filing. As shown and described, aspects of the innovation can be used with most any size or type of bag due to an adjustable bushing and interchangeable attachment mechanisms. For instance, in one aspect, clips can be used to attach to a plastic bag, for example, when buying a goldfish in a pet shop. The device can be used to hold the bag open while adding water as well as the fish. In another aspect, clips can be interchanged for paddles or other tips so as to accommodate the type of vessel one desires to hold open. In this aspect, the paddles can be designed to confirm to a semi-rigid vessel so as to hold it open to assist in filling.

Additionally, most any size bowl can be used to alleviate spillage of solids, liquids, etc. Similarly, while many of the aspects described herein are directed to medical and/or household uses, it is to be understood that the innovation can be employed in most any scenario where non-rigid storage vessels are used. As such, these alternative uses and applications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure and claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an example apparatus in accordance with aspects of the innovation. As illustrated, the apparatus can be manufactured in a scissor-like or tweezer-like manner however, operation and use of the device is distinguishable from that of conventional devices. This unique operation will be better understood upon a review of the figures that follow.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example device 100 in accordance with aspects of the innovation. As described above, in aspects, when attempting to fill a plastic storage bag, such as a zip-lock bag, it is often difficult to hold open the bag and fill it with powder or liquid without spilling or making a mess. As a result, it often takes two people to fill the bag. Accordingly, one purpose of this innovation is to alleviate mess or need of assistance when filling a plastic storage bag (or other non-rigid vessel).

The device 100 can be used with most any size bag due to its versatility and adjustability. As illustrated, the device 100 can include two levers (102, 104) pivotably connected by an adjustable bushing 106 approximately in the center. It is to be appreciated that the figures attached may not be true-to-scale.

As shown, two handles (108, 110) can be attached to one side of each lever (or arm) (102, 104 respectively). The two levers (102, 104) can be configured, formed or otherwise bent at predetermined angles that allow the device 100 to open or separate at the opposite ends. It will be understood and appreciated that the levers (102, 104) can be bent at the pivot point. This configuration will be understood by the consistent identification numbers 102 and 104 respectively. In other words, unlike conventional scissors, the levers 102, 104 are contiguous on each side of the pivot point (106) as shown in FIG. 1.

In one aspect, handle 108 can be configured to accommodate two-finger operation. Similarly, as shown, handle 110 can be configured to accommodate one-finger operation. It is to be understood that these configurations and orientations are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the innovation or claims appended hereto.

Opposite the handles (108, 110) on each lever (102, 104), the device 100 includes a clamping mechanism and an alignment mechanism which, for example, can secure a plastic storage bag in an open position. As illustrated, clips 112 can be employed opposite the handles (108, 110) in order to facilitate grasp of the vessel or container. While “clips” are shown and described, it is to be understood that alternatives exist that employ other mechanisms by which to secure an opening of a vessel, e.g., a plastic storage bag. These alternatives are contemplated and are to be included within the scope of this disclosure and claims appended hereto.

Still further, a locking mechanism 114 can be employed to hold the device 100 in a desired position. For example, the locking mechanism 114 can be employed to regulate the opening gap between the clips 112. In other examples, the locking mechanism 114 can be used to maintain an open position in accordance with a particular vessel or bag (not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates an example clip 200 in accordance with aspects of the innovation. As shown, the clip, or attachment mechanism 200, can include a lever connector portion 202 and a vessel connector portion 204. As illustrated, this example attachment mechanism 200 can connect to the opening of a container, such as a flexible plastic bag (e.g., zip-lock bag).

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another example apparatus 300 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. As illustrated, the example apparatus 300 of FIG. 3 can include a spring or compression mechanism 302 that can be designed to position the lever handles in an open or closed position as designed or desired. It will be appreciated that, in one aspect, the spring mechanism 302 can be designed to hold a bag in an open position in lieu of a user providing force upon the handles.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of motion of the handles in relation to the attachment mechanisms. As shown, as the handles are compressed together, the attachment mechanism ends of the levers open thereby causing a bag 402 to extend into an open position. Accordingly, the converse is true—as the handles are spread apart, the attachment mechanisms close thereby causing the bag 402 (or vessel) to close.

It will be appreciated that, as the two handles are squeezed together, the opposite ends can separate or open the bag, for example, to prepare it for mess-free filling. The clamping or attachment mechanisms hold the bag in place and the alignment part keeps the bag open. In other words, once a bag is attached to the device and the handles are squeezed, the bag will open and remain held open until the handles are separated.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the adjustable bushing enables most any size vessel or bag 502 to be employed in connection with the innovation. Accordingly, most any size bowl can be used to assist such that no powder, liquid or solids will be lost or dropped. Once the bag is filled, it can be sealed and stored away.

It will be understood that the device can be manufactured in a compact, lightweight, easy to use form factor that can be stored in a drawer along side of storage bags. Additionally, the device can be manufactured of materials conducive or appropriate for a particular application. For example, surgical use can be manufactured of rigid materials capable of being sterilized. In other aspects, “throw-away” devices can be manufactured of plastic or the like. Similarly, kitchen or household devices can be manufactured of plastic or other materials that are “dishwasher-safe.” It is to be understood that most any suitably rigid material can be employed without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the innovation.

What has been described above includes examples of the innovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components for purposes of describing the subject innovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the innovation are possible. Accordingly, the innovation is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

1. A system that facilitates one-handed opening of a container, comprising: a first lever of a first pre-determined length having a first handle portion on one end of the first pre-determined length and a first attachment mechanism fixed to the other end of the first pre-determined length, wherein the first attachment mechanism facilitates attachment to a first side of an opening of the container; and a second lever of a second pre-determined length having a second handle portion on one end of the second pre-determined length and a second attachment mechanism fixed to the other end of the second pre-determined length, wherein the second attachment mechanism facilitates attachment to a second side of the opening of the container, and wherein the first lever and the second lever are pivotably housed within a common mechanism, and wherein separation of the first handle and the second handle facilitate closure of the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism.
 2. The system of claim 1, the container is a zip-lock bag.
 3. The system of claim 2, the container is a plastic bag.
 4. The system of claim 1, each of the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism is a clip.
 5. The system of claim 1, the common mechanism is an adjustable bushing.
 6. The system of claim 1, the first lever and the second lever are plastic.
 7. The system of claim 1, the first lever and the second lever are steel.
 8. The system of claim 1, at least one of the first handle portion and the second handle portion is sized to accommodate a plurality of fingers.
 9. The system of claim 8, at least one of the first handle portion and the second handle portion is sized to accommodate a single finger.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that secures the first attachment means and the second attachment means in a desired position.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spring mechanism that establishes force to position the first handle portion and the second handle portion in a desired position. 